percentage

noun

per·​cent·​age pər-ˈsen-tij How to pronounce percentage (audio)
1
a
: a part of a whole expressed in hundredths
a high percentage of students attended
b
: the result obtained by multiplying a number by a percent
the percentage equals the rate times the base
2
a
: a share of winnings or profits
b
: advantage, profit
no percentage in going around looking like an old sack of laundryWallace Stegner
3
: an indeterminate part : proportion
4
b
: favorable odds

Examples of percentage in a Sentence

If a goalie saves 96 out of 100 shots, his save percentage is 96 percent. The percentages of women completing high school and college were 95 percent and 52 percent, respectively. What percentage of your income do you spend on rent?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Turnout as a percentage of the voting-age population this election is currently about 70.7%, with 98% of ballots counted and final numbers pending. Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024 The Warriors rank last in free throw percentage this season. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024 Rental operating costs increased to approximately $1.6 million from $1.5 million in the same quarter of the previous year, with costs as a percentage of total revenue rising slightly. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024 But, none of the Finnish goalies have a better save percentage than Annunen’s .918 over the past two seasons combined. Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for percentage 

Word History

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of percentage was in 1757

Dictionary Entries Near percentage

Cite this Entry

“Percentage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percentage. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

percentage

noun
per·​cent·​age pər-ˈsent-ij How to pronounce percentage (audio)
1
a
: a part of a whole expressed in hundredths
a high percentage of students attended
b
: the result obtained by multiplying a number by a percent
the percentage equals the rate times the base
2
a
: probability sense 3a
play the percentages
b
: favorable odds

More from Merriam-Webster on percentage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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